BMW takes wraps off first electric, hybrid models to wear i badge

The i8 is a 'two-plus-two' and can seat four people who sit “in typical sports car style in an extremely low and enclosed position…” BMW said. The doors swivel upward giving access to both the front and rear seats.

BMW AG today unveiled concepts of electric and hybrid vehicles that will go into production and be marketed under its new i subbrand -- the i3 city car that goes on sale in 2013 and the i8 sports car due in 2014.

The cars are "born electric," BMW said, and designed as alternative fuel vehicles from the ground up.

"We are marking another milestone in the history of the BMW Group. As chairman of the board and an engineer myself, I am very proud of this project," CEO Norbert Reithofer, said in a statement before the vehicles' premiere in Frankfurt.

BMW plans to introduce additional i models down the road as part of a major push to meet stricter fuel economy and emissions standards around the globe.

The rear-wheel drive electric i3 Concept has a 170-hp electric motor over the rear axle. It achieves 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in under eight seconds and has an electronically governed 150 km/h (93 mph).

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BMW

The rear-wheel drive electric i3 Concept has a 170-hp electric motor over the rear axle. It can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in under eight seconds, BMW says.

The four-seat car has front-hinged front doors and rear-hinged "coach doors." The upper-body is made of carbon fiber and the drivetrain module that holds the battery package, electronics and motor is made of light-weight aluminum.

The i3 Concept is a zero-emissions vehicle and has a range of 130-160km (80-100 miles) on a full charge. BMW said the car has been developed for use in an urban environment.

"This vehicle will mark the launch of the first volume-produced car featuring body work largely made of carbon," said Klaus Draeger, BMW AG board member for development. "It's a revolution in automotive design."

The car weighs 1,250kg (2,756 pounds) and has a 2570mm (101.2 inch) wheelbase.

BMW i8 Concept

The i8 Concept plug-in hybrid uses a modified electric drive system from the i3 Concept that is fitted over the front axle as well as a three-cylinder combustion engine with 220 hp. The packaging gives the car an optimal 50/50 weight distribution.

BMW said the i8 Concept coupe can run alone for 35km (20 miles) on the electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. The electric-only mode would allow the car to be driven in cities that restrict use of gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles.

The i8 is a two-plus-two and can seat four people who sit "in typical sports car style in an extremely low and enclosed position…" BMW said. The doors swivel upward giving access to both the front and rear seats.

The i8 also uses carbon fiber for the body and aluminum for the understructure.

The hybrid sports car has a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under five seconds. Its fuel consumption in the European cycle of under three liters per 100 kilometres (94 UK mpg)

Both cars will be built at BMW's Leipzig plant in Germany. BMW said it will spend $573.4 million for new facilities to assemble the cars and create 800 new jobs.